Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper

By: Dr. Bari Spielman

Section: Follow-up

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical, especially if your pet does not rapidly improve.

  • Dogs should be closely monitored, as pneumonia and/or dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea in the acute phase could debilitate an animal quickly.

  • Administer all prescribed medication as directed. Alert your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet.

  • Depending on the circumstances, distemper may range from a subclinical infection (having no clinical signs) to a fatal infection. Death may occur from two weeks to three months post-infection.

  • Euthanasia may be recommended for dogs with severe, unresponsive pneumonia, debilitating myoclonus, paralysis or inability to walk, unrelenting vomiting or diarrhea, or seizures.

  • Recovered dogs are not carriers of infection, and usually have good immunity against the disease.

     
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